To perform a hard reset (force restart) on an iPhone, the exact button sequence depends on your iPhone model:
For iPhone 8 and later (including iPhone X, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and
newer):
- Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
- Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
- Press and hold the Side (Power) button until the Apple logo appears, then release it
For iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus:
- Press and hold the Volume Down button and the Sleep/Wake (Power) button simultaneously.
- Keep holding both buttons until the Apple logo appears, then release
For iPhone 6s and earlier (including iPhone SE 1st generation):
- Press and hold the Home button and the Sleep/Wake (Power) button at the same time.
- Keep holding both buttons until the Apple logo appears, then release
Notes:
- A hard reset forces the iPhone to shut down and restart, which can resolve software glitches or unresponsive behavior without deleting your data
- This is different from a factory reset, which erases all content and settings from the device
- If your iPhone is frozen or unresponsive, a hard reset is often the first troubleshooting step to try
This method is effective for troubleshooting and restoring normal operation when the device is stuck, frozen, or not responding.